SEATTLE, May 7 (UPI) -- Eddie Guardado struck out Torri Hunter in the top of the ninth Thursday night, allowing Seattle to nail down a 2-1 win over Minnesota.
Seattle starter Freddy Garcia (1-1) yielded one run and six hits in seven innings, striking out eight and walking one in his first win of the season. Guardado pitched a perfect ninth for his fifth save.
Two nights earlier, Guardado surrendered a game-tying double to Hunter in the ninth inning of a contest the Mariners won in 16 innings.
Seattle managed just one run and four hits in six innings against Twins starter Brad Radke, but had success against Juan Rincon (4-2) in the seventh.
Edgar Martinez led off with a single and John Olerud walked. Rich Aurilia sacrificed, but Rincon -- trying to start a double play -- took his eye off the ball and rushed a throw to first base that Aurilia narrowly beat to load the bases.
Dan Wilson grounded into a double play that scored pinch-runner Quinton McCracken with the go-ahead run.
